On the Death of Mr. John Matthews, December 28, 1764, Part 1

Blessing, and thanks, and power, and praise,
Jesus is worthy to receive.
Who keeps His saints throughout their days,
And doth the final victory give!
He hath His faithful mercies shown
To him whose loss we now deplore.
Safe enter'd on that land unknown,
To weep, and fret, and die no more.

A servant in his earliest years,
After the hidden God he grieved.
Till from his Saviour's messengers
The welcome tidings he received.
His alms and prayers were not in vain.
But rose acceptable to heaven.;
And God assured the pious man
His sins were all through Christ forgiven.

O what a mighty change was wrought.
By Jesus in his heart reveal'd!
Tis past the reach of human thought,
That peace which spake his pardon seal'd:
As quite exempt from sin and care,
He feasted with the saints above;
And all his life was praise and prayer,
And all his soul was joy and love.

Long he on Tabor's top abode,
His Pattern there, and patient Head,
The perfect way through sufferings show'd.
And to the cross His follower led:
Twas there he leam'd vnXh. Christ to die,
And daily languish'd on the tree.
And echoed back the plaintive cry,
"Why hath my God forsaken me?"

Yet not forsook, but sorely tried,
But pain'd throughout the evil day.
And fashion'd like the Crucified,
He never cast his shield away:
Chose in the furnace of distress.
Kept by the power of Jesu's name,
He highly prized the passive grace.
And praised his Saviour in the flame.

Witness his old companions there.
How close in Jesu's steps he trod,
The man of diffidence and prayer.
The humble upright man of God!
Happy if all their faith could prove
Like him, like him their Lord confess,
By every work of genuine love.
By mercy, truth, and righteousness!

A doer of the word he heard.
He lived an Israelite unseen.
And always bless'd, who always fear'd.
Not the reproach, but praise, of men:
Not all the visits from his Lord,
The favours or the grace bestow'd,
Could tempt to one vainglorious word,
Or make him witness, " I am good!"